The News Agents - USA

How should Democrats be feeling today about their Senate candidate for Maine? Graham Platner has a Nazi tattoo, a dodgy past and quite a lot of baggage. But his fans call him an authentic voice that’s ready to shake up the election in a seat they just can’t seem to win.
We ask journalist and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan what’s going on in the Democratic Party more widely - and as turmoil strikes the heart of Americas legendary 60 minutes show - where is the backbone to US media companies?
The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Trump wanted taxpayer money set aside for a 'slush fund' critics feared would be used to payout millions for his January 6th allies. But in a rare act of defiance, Republicans have killed off the plan before it could become reality.
Why did Trump’s own party draw the line here? Was it a principled stand, a political calculation, or a sign that some Republicans are growing nervous about defending everything linked to January 6th? And Has Trump pushed Republicans too far this time?
Later, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam joins us to discuss the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein files.
The News Agents USA is a Global Production.
The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Ken Paxton - Texas Attorney General - and a politician with a string of sleaze investigations behind him - has just been anointed by Trump as the Texas Senate candidate.
Has Trump made a terrible mistake here? Why are the Democrats licking their lips? And is a blue seat in a deep red state starting to seem possible?
Later, Philadelphia congressman Brendan Boyle on Trump’s slush fund, the mid term races, and his urgent warning to British voters.
The News Agents USA is a Global Production.
The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Donald Trump announced a $1.776bn new scheme this week labelled an 'anti-weaponisation fund' to compensate citizens who've been mistreated by the US justice system. Who could the President have in mind as in need of compensation? How about the January 6th rioters? Well they are stepping forward in their droves to state their intentions to claim millions from the IRS - and Trump seems to be cheering them on. Critics say he's using the money to keep his own private militia on retainer - are they right?
And why did Trump secure 'forever' immunity for him and his family from tax audits?
Later, in a rare act of rebellion, Republican Congressmen stripped out $1bn worth of funding for Trump's ballroom from a Bill going through the legislature that was supposed to be about immigration enforcement funding. Trump has doubled down on the ambitions for the ballroom - talking about a drone port on the roof and a military base. But will the GOP get increasingly jittery about the exorbitant costs and the gaudy nature of his White House redevelopment when there's an affordability crisis weighing on the minds of voters?
The News Agents - USA is a Global Production.
The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Did Trump really mean to tell Americans he wasn't thinking of their financial situation "at all" when he went to war with Iran? He repeated it several times so we can assume it was no slip of the tongue. The democrats are delighted. His allies are dismayed. Expect that line to get played on a loop. But has Trump stopped worrying about the economy for everyone except his own family? And has he given up on the midterms?
Later, Politico's Jonathan Martin joins Jon in the studio. What's Trump playing at? Is the base still with him? And is the American media doing enough to hold him to account?
The News Agents USA is a Global production.
The News Agents USA is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/